Nairobi, Kenya
A woman and two children hide during an attack on the Westgate mall. They eventually escaped unharmed.
On 21 September, masked gunmen opened fire at Nairobi’s Westgate shopping mall. The upmarket mall was popular among expats and the Kenyan elite. In a siege that lasted four days, at least 60 people died and up to 200 were injured. The four main perpetrators of the attack were killed, and a number of other men were later tried as accomplices. The four gunmen were all of Somali origin. The Somali jihadist group al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was a warning to Kenya to pull its troops out of Somalia, where they were part of an African Union peacekeeping force in conflict with the militants.

The New York Times

September 21, 2013

Nairobi, Kenya
A woman and two children hide during an attack on the Westgate mall. They eventually escaped unharmed.
On 21 September, masked gunmen opened fire at Nairobi’s Westgate shopping mall. The upmarket mall was popular among expats and the Kenyan elite. In a siege that lasted four days, at least 60 people died and up to 200 were injured. The four main perpetrators of the attack were killed, and a number of other men were later tried as accomplices. The four gunmen were all of Somali origin. The Somali jihadist group al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was a warning to Kenya to pull its troops out of Somalia, where they were part of an African Union peacekeeping force in conflict with the militants.

Nairobi, Kenya
Plainclothes police officers search the Westgate mall floor by floor.
On 21 September, masked gunmen opened fire at Nairobi’s Westgate shopping mall. The upmarket mall was popular among expats and the Kenyan elite. In a siege that lasted four days, at least 60 people died and up to 200 were injured. The four main perpetrators of the attack were killed, and a number of other men were later tried as accomplices. The four gunmen were all of Somali origin. The Somali jihadist group al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was a warning to Kenya to pull its troops out of Somalia, where they were part of an African Union peacekeeping force in conflict with the militants.

The New York Times

September 21, 2013

Nairobi, Kenya
Plainclothes police officers search the Westgate mall floor by floor.
On 21 September, masked gunmen opened fire at Nairobi’s Westgate shopping mall. The upmarket mall was popular among expats and the Kenyan elite. In a siege that lasted four days, at least 60 people died and up to 200 were injured. The four main perpetrators of the attack were killed, and a number of other men were later tried as accomplices. The four gunmen were all of Somali origin. The Somali jihadist group al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was a warning to Kenya to pull its troops out of Somalia, where they were part of an African Union peacekeeping force in conflict with the militants.

Nairobi, Kenya
A member of the security forces pursues the assailants.
On 21 September, masked gunmen opened fire at Nairobi’s Westgate shopping mall. The upmarket mall was popular among expats and the Kenyan elite. In a siege that lasted four days, at least 60 people died and up to 200 were injured. The four main perpetrators of the attack were killed, and a number of other men were later tried as accomplices. The four gunmen were all of Somali origin. The Somali jihadist group al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was a warning to Kenya to pull its troops out of Somalia, where they were part of an African Union peacekeeping force in conflict with the militants.

The New York Times

September 21, 2013

Nairobi, Kenya
A member of the security forces pursues the assailants.
On 21 September, masked gunmen opened fire at Nairobi’s Westgate shopping mall. The upmarket mall was popular among expats and the Kenyan elite. In a siege that lasted four days, at least 60 people died and up to 200 were injured. The four main perpetrators of the attack were killed, and a number of other men were later tried as accomplices. The four gunmen were all of Somali origin. The Somali jihadist group al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was a warning to Kenya to pull its troops out of Somalia, where they were part of an African Union peacekeeping force in conflict with the militants.

Nairobi, Kenya
Hostages are helped to safety, during an attack on the Westgate mall.
On 21 September, masked gunmen opened fire at Nairobi’s Westgate shopping mall. The upmarket mall was popular among expats and the Kenyan elite. In a siege that lasted four days, at least 60 people died and up to 200 were injured. The four main perpetrators of the attack were killed, and a number of other men were later tried as accomplices. The four gunmen were all of Somali origin. The Somali jihadist group al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was a warning to Kenya to pull its troops out of Somalia, where they were part of an African Union peacekeeping force in conflict with the militants.

The New York Times

September 22, 2013

Nairobi, Kenya
Hostages are helped to safety, during an attack on the Westgate mall.
On 21 September, masked gunmen opened fire at Nairobi’s Westgate shopping mall. The upmarket mall was popular among expats and the Kenyan elite. In a siege that lasted four days, at least 60 people died and up to 200 were injured. The four main perpetrators of the attack were killed, and a number of other men were later tried as accomplices. The four gunmen were all of Somali origin. The Somali jihadist group al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was a warning to Kenya to pull its troops out of Somalia, where they were part of an African Union peacekeeping force in conflict with the militants.

Nairobi, Kenya
A woman is moved to safety, during an attack on the Westgate mall.
On 21 September, masked gunmen opened fire at Nairobi’s Westgate shopping mall. The upmarket mall was popular among expats and the Kenyan elite. In a siege that lasted four days, at least 60 people died and up to 200 were injured. The four main perpetrators of the attack were killed, and a number of other men were later tried as accomplices. The four gunmen were all of Somali origin. The Somali jihadist group al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was a warning to Kenya to pull its troops out of Somalia, where they were part of an African Union peacekeeping force in conflict with the militants.

The New York Times

September 21, 2013

Nairobi, Kenya
A woman is moved to safety, during an attack on the Westgate mall.
On 21 September, masked gunmen opened fire at Nairobi’s Westgate shopping mall. The upmarket mall was popular among expats and the Kenyan elite. In a siege that lasted four days, at least 60 people died and up to 200 were injured. The four main perpetrators of the attack were killed, and a number of other men were later tried as accomplices. The four gunmen were all of Somali origin. The Somali jihadist group al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was a warning to Kenya to pull its troops out of Somalia, where they were part of an African Union peacekeeping force in conflict with the militants.

Nairobi, Kenya
On 21 September, masked gunmen opened fire at Nairobi’s Westgate shopping mall. The upmarket mall was popular among expats and the Kenyan elite. In a siege that lasted four days, at least 60 people died and up to 200 were injured. The four main perpetrators of the attack were killed, and a number of other men were later tried as accomplices. The four gunmen were all of Somali origin. The Somali jihadist group al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was a warning to Kenya to pull its troops out of Somalia, where they were part of an African Union peacekeeping force in conflict with the militants.

The New York Times

September 21, 2013

Nairobi, Kenya
On 21 September, masked gunmen opened fire at Nairobi’s Westgate shopping mall. The upmarket mall was popular among expats and the Kenyan elite. In a siege that lasted four days, at least 60 people died and up to 200 were injured. The four main perpetrators of the attack were killed, and a number of other men were later tried as accomplices. The four gunmen were all of Somali origin. The Somali jihadist group al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was a warning to Kenya to pull its troops out of Somalia, where they were part of an African Union peacekeeping force in conflict with the militants.

Nairobi, Kenya
Police officers search for gunmen during an attack on the Westgate mall.
On 21 September, masked gunmen opened fire at Nairobi’s Westgate shopping mall. The upmarket mall was popular among expats and the Kenyan elite. In a siege that lasted four days, at least 60 people died and up to 200 were injured. The four main perpetrators of the attack were killed, and a number of other men were later tried as accomplices. The four gunmen were all of Somali origin. The Somali jihadist group al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was a warning to Kenya to pull its troops out of Somalia, where they were part of an African Union peacekeeping force in conflict with the militants.

The New York Times

September 21, 2013

Nairobi, Kenya
Police officers search for gunmen during an attack on the Westgate mall.
On 21 September, masked gunmen opened fire at Nairobi’s Westgate shopping mall. The upmarket mall was popular among expats and the Kenyan elite. In a siege that lasted four days, at least 60 people died and up to 200 were injured. The four main perpetrators of the attack were killed, and a number of other men were later tried as accomplices. The four gunmen were all of Somali origin. The Somali jihadist group al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was a warning to Kenya to pull its troops out of Somalia, where they were part of an African Union peacekeeping force in conflict with the militants.

Nairobi, Kenya
A woman who hid in a restaurant air vent during an attack on the Westgate mall is helped to safety.
On 21 September, masked gunmen opened fire at Nairobi’s Westgate shopping mall. The upmarket mall was popular among expats and the Kenyan elite. In a siege that lasted four days, at least 60 people died and up to 200 were injured. The four main perpetrators of the attack were killed, and a number of other men were later tried as accomplices. The four gunmen were all of Somali origin. The Somali jihadist group al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was a warning to Kenya to pull its troops out of Somalia, where they were part of an African Union peacekeeping force in conflict with the militants.

The New York Times

September 21, 2013

Nairobi, Kenya
A woman who hid in a restaurant air vent during an attack on the Westgate mall is helped to safety.
On 21 September, masked gunmen opened fire at Nairobi’s Westgate shopping mall. The upmarket mall was popular among expats and the Kenyan elite. In a siege that lasted four days, at least 60 people died and up to 200 were injured. The four main perpetrators of the attack were killed, and a number of other men were later tried as accomplices. The four gunmen were all of Somali origin. The Somali jihadist group al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was a warning to Kenya to pull its troops out of Somalia, where they were part of an African Union peacekeeping force in conflict with the militants.

Nairobi, Kenya
Hostages try to move to safety, during an attack on the Westgate mall.
On 21 September, masked gunmen opened fire at Nairobi’s Westgate shopping mall. The upmarket mall was popular among expats and the Kenyan elite. In a siege that lasted four days, at least 60 people died and up to 200 were injured. The four main perpetrators of the attack were killed, and a number of other men were later tried as accomplices. The four gunmen were all of Somali origin. The Somali jihadist group al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was a warning to Kenya to pull its troops out of Somalia, where they were part of an African Union peacekeeping force in conflict with the militants.

The New York Times

September 22, 2013

Nairobi, Kenya
Hostages try to move to safety, during an attack on the Westgate mall.
On 21 September, masked gunmen opened fire at Nairobi’s Westgate shopping mall. The upmarket mall was popular among expats and the Kenyan elite. In a siege that lasted four days, at least 60 people died and up to 200 were injured. The four main perpetrators of the attack were killed, and a number of other men were later tried as accomplices. The four gunmen were all of Somali origin. The Somali jihadist group al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was a warning to Kenya to pull its troops out of Somalia, where they were part of an African Union peacekeeping force in conflict with the militants.

Nairobi, Kenya
A wounded hostage is helped to safety, during an attack on the Westgate mall.
On 21 September, masked gunmen opened fire at Nairobi’s Westgate shopping mall. The upmarket mall was popular among expats and the Kenyan elite. In a siege that lasted four days, at least 60 people died and up to 200 were injured. The four main perpetrators of the attack were killed, and a number of other men were later tried as accomplices. The four gunmen were all of Somali origin. The Somali jihadist group al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was a warning to Kenya to pull its troops out of Somalia, where they were part of an African Union peacekeeping force in conflict with the militants.

The New York Times

September 21, 2013

Nairobi, Kenya
A wounded hostage is helped to safety, during an attack on the Westgate mall.
On 21 September, masked gunmen opened fire at Nairobi’s Westgate shopping mall. The upmarket mall was popular among expats and the Kenyan elite. In a siege that lasted four days, at least 60 people died and up to 200 were injured. The four main perpetrators of the attack were killed, and a number of other men were later tried as accomplices. The four gunmen were all of Somali origin. The Somali jihadist group al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was a warning to Kenya to pull its troops out of Somalia, where they were part of an African Union peacekeeping force in conflict with the militants.

Nairobi, Kenya
Family and friends attend the funeral of Ruth Njeri Macharia (27), who was killed in an attack on the Westgate mall, at the Langata Cemetery, on 27 September.
On 21 September, masked gunmen opened fire at Nairobi’s Westgate shopping mall. The upmarket mall was popular among expats and the Kenyan elite. In a siege that lasted four days, at least 60 people died and up to 200 were injured. The four main perpetrators of the attack were killed, and a number of other men were later tried as accomplices. The four gunmen were all of Somali origin. The Somali jihadist group al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was a warning to Kenya to pull its troops out of Somalia, where they were part of an African Union peacekeeping force in conflict with the militants.

The New York Times

September 27, 2013

Nairobi, Kenya
Family and friends attend the funeral of Ruth Njeri Macharia (27), who was killed in an attack on the Westgate mall, at the Langata Cemetery, on 27 September.
On 21 September, masked gunmen opened fire at Nairobi’s Westgate shopping mall. The upmarket mall was popular among expats and the Kenyan elite. In a siege that lasted four days, at least 60 people died and up to 200 were injured. The four main perpetrators of the attack were killed, and a number of other men were later tried as accomplices. The four gunmen were all of Somali origin. The Somali jihadist group al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was a warning to Kenya to pull its troops out of Somalia, where they were part of an African Union peacekeeping force in conflict with the militants.

Nairobi, Kenya
Family and friends of victims of an attack on the Westgate mall, attend a memorial service in Karura Forest, a month after the event. Trees were planted in memory of the people who had been killed.
On 21 September, masked gunmen opened fire at Nairobi’s Westgate shopping mall. The upmarket mall was popular among expats and the Kenyan elite. In a siege that lasted four days, at least 60 people died and up to 200 were injured. The four main perpetrators of the attack were killed, and a number of other men were later tried as accomplices. The four gunmen were all of Somali origin. The Somali jihadist group al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was a warning to Kenya to pull its troops out of Somalia, where they were part of an African Union peacekeeping force in conflict with the militants.

The New York Times

October 21, 2013

Nairobi, Kenya
Family and friends of victims of an attack on the Westgate mall, attend a memorial service in Karura Forest, a month after the event. Trees were planted in memory of the people who had been killed.
On 21 September, masked gunmen opened fire at Nairobi’s Westgate shopping mall. The upmarket mall was popular among expats and the Kenyan elite. In a siege that lasted four days, at least 60 people died and up to 200 were injured. The four main perpetrators of the attack were killed, and a number of other men were later tried as accomplices. The four gunmen were all of Somali origin. The Somali jihadist group al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was a warning to Kenya to pull its troops out of Somalia, where they were part of an African Union peacekeeping force in conflict with the militants.

Massacre at Westgate Mall

Spot News, second prize stories

September 21, 2013

Nairobi, Kenya

A woman and two children hide during an attack on the Westgate mall. They eventually escaped unharmed.

On 21 September, masked gunmen opened fire at Nairobi’s Westgate shopping mall. The upmarket mall was popular among expats and the Kenyan elite. In a siege that lasted four days, at least 60 people died and up to 200 were injured. The four main perpetrators of the attack were killed, and a number of other men were later tried as accomplices. The four gunmen were all of Somali origin. The Somali jihadist group al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was a warning to Kenya to pull its troops out of Somalia, where they were part of an African Union peacekeeping force in conflict with the militants.

Tyler Hicks

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About the photographer

Tyler Hicks

Tyler Hicks is a staff photographer for The New York Times. He began working for The Times as a contract photographer in Kenya in 1999, photographing news stories in East and West Africa. After the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, he traveled to Afghanistan for The Times and arrived in Kabul as the Northern Alliance liberated the city from Taliban control. He has returned to Afghanistan yearly and continues to document the conflict there.

As a freelancer for The Times, he lived with a Kosovar family while covering the escalating conflict in the Balkans. Two years later, with the arrival of peacekeepers and an end to the conflict, he left for Africa to cover the escalating war between Eritrea and Ethiopia. Tyler graduated in 1992 with a B.A. in journalism from Boston University, where he returned in 2011 to deliver the commencement speech for the College of Communication. After graduation, he worked as a photographer’s assistant at a commercial studio in Boston and then at The Troy Daily News, a small newspaper in Ohio, where he spent a year as chief photographer. He later moved to North Carolina, where he was a staff photographer for three years at The Wilmington Star-News. During his time there, he also photographed projects in Haiti, Albania, and Kosovo. Moved by the atrocities he saw in Kosovo, he left his job to pursue a career in international news.

In 2009, Tyler was a member of the team that won the Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting coverage for of Afghanistan and Pakistan. He received the Newspaper Photographer of the Year award from Pictures of the Year International for his work in 2006. In 2001, he was the recipient of the 2001 ICP Infinity Award for Photojournalism for his coverage in Afghanistan, as well as other awards, including World Press and Pictures of the Year and Visa Pour L’image in Perpignan, France. He was given the George Polk Award for Foreign Reporting in 2012, with Jeffrey Gettleman, for coverage of Somalia and the Horn of Africa.

Tyler Hicks was born in São Paulo, Brazil, in 1969. He lives in Nairobi, Kenya.

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